I've quit everything. Now what ?

copperjar wrote: »

Hi AC. Please don't buy the stereo. Get yourself moved in, get your debts paid off then see where you are. You've had new iPad and new iPhone in the last couple of months - did you also get the iMac? I'm really worried that you are displaying some bad habits that got you into debt in the first place. A stereo is not essential right now. You have TV etc in storage and music on your apple devices which can stream to a £100 Bluetooth speaker if need be. This is crazy spending. Justifying it by saying you've saved elsewhere ( by negotiating on debts, spending less on bathroom etc) is not really saving when you don't have a budget.

I really would plead with you to write to your creditors (better than let payplan do it) and try to negotiate and pay off the debts. I'm worried you are thinking you will get amazing full and finals and you might not. I do struggle with the idea of getting discounts on debts you've run up only to use that "saving" on some extravagant gadgets. Sorry if that causes offence, none intended but I personally struggle with it.

I agree with all the above, move in first, pay your debts second, THEN and only then, start considering replacing things you already have and only if really needed as opposed to desired.

another_casualty wrote: »

Hi copperjar

Ive been careful so far. Ive still got furniture in storage.
Unfortunately, i will have to buy wardrobes shelving and storage.
This flat has absolutely no storage and is a bargain for a reason.

Do yourself a favour and go look in the British Heart Foundation shop before you commit to more big ticket stuff from a department store.


Seems to me you have a habit of taking the easy path with things like stuff for the new flat and Payplan, whereas a bit of extra work could save you £100s (or £1000s in the case of your debts).

enthusiasticsaver wrote: »

I also think you should write to your creditors separately AC to see if they will accept lower. I don't think payplan has power to accept full and finals.

Agreed, being proactive will get better results than just sitting back and letting things run their course, AC you're fast approaching 6 months since you realised your asset in London which was principally to clear your debts and make a new start - one of those has had no progress whatsoever.

Lots of good advice given here AC, which I second, third, fourth...whatever. All except the teeth whitening dare that it! I had a friend who had hers done to a mega-dazzling whiteness which, coupled with her penchant for quite dark spray tans, meant that all you really saw of her was her teeth (exactly like Ross in Friends - one of the funniest episodes ever). I do feel a lot of dentists seem to just be in the business of selling you treatment these days. Mine keeps asking if the stain on one of my bottom teeth bothers me - he can remove it for a couple of hundred. Well, as I wasn't aware of it until he mentioned it then no - it doesn't really bother me. I decided against the denture he offered me for the back teeth I had to have removed the other year as I think it would just irritate me to have something in my mouth permanently. Most people I have spoken to don't get on with theirs and at a cost of "around £600" I thought it might end up being an expensive ornament.
Re debts - I think you should definitely prioritise getting your budget sorted out as soon as possible and write to the creditors yourself. Having helped youngest DD a bit with her debts lately I think Stepchange (who she is with) were great in the first few months when she felt her whole world had come crashing down and felt she couldn't tell me. But I can see ways of getting things paid off a bit quicker - and yes, maybe negotiating a discount if possible although I agree it is a bit of a moral dilemma - but Stepchange just advise her to keep going as she is.
Gardening day today as the weather has perked up a bit from yesterday.
By the way - I do like Dwell units but you can get a similar look with IKEA stuff, and flat packs really aren't that difficult.

What's wrong with the sink?

another_casualty wrote: »

Not very deep . Looks a bit cheap

This is what happens when you leave everything up to the tradesman. You should have specified exactly what you wanted (e.g. deep sink/double or single drainer etc.) and that is where I would be prepared to spend a little more to get what I want.

You may have a good "rapport" with James but he can't be expected to read your mind or have exactly the same taste as you do. Can it be changed?

By the way I was thinking about what you said re flat having no storage. A great time to seriously downsize your possessions so you only keep what is essential. Then the storage issues won't be so pressing.